Tag: holy fear
Holy fear and clear vision
Scripture reading for January 24: Exodus 19-20
God carried the whole nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt with a display of His power in the plagues. The Israelites were protected and experienced God’s deliverance as they walked out of Egypt, laden down with silver and gold and other valuables. God’s presence guided them in the Pillar of Fire and in the Cloud. God was in their midst and provided miraculously for them again and again in sending the manna and quail and then providing water from the Rock. They knew God’s mercy, but lacked a healthy fear or respect. This holy fear or respect is a foundation for wisdom and life. (Proverbs 1:7)
To help His people with holy fear, God led the children of Israel to Mt. Sinai where He gave instructions through Moses to the people. They were to refrain from sexual relations, wash their clothes, and consecrate themselves to hear God’s voice speaking to them. (Exodus 19:10-16) On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud, and a loud trumpet blast. When the trumpet sounded, everyone in the camp trembled with fear! (Exodus 20:18-19) God’s voice speaking His law revealed His holiness.
God’s stated purpose was to instill in them the “fear of God to keep them from sinning.” (Exodus 20:20) You might say He wanted them to have ’20:20 vision’ and understanding that sin brings death. The ten commandments that Moses received revealed sin in the heart of man. They are the mirror of our soul showing our need of mercy and forgiveness. They drive us to God for mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is only by grace that we are saved from the penalty of sin. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
How has God instilled a holy respect in your life? Would you say that your vision of God is more of love and mercy that awe and respect? How does a healthy respect for the Lord keep us from sinning?
“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20
God rules from His Throne!
Scripture reading for December 20th: Revelation 15, Psalm 103, Ecclesiastes 5
Revelation 15: 5-8 “After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God Who lives forever and ever, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.”
There is a glorious throne in Heaven’s sanctuary where God rules supreme and those angels who serve Him await His every command. They run to do His will, obeying His voice. In this passage of Revelation, we see the four living creatures obey God and give the bowls of His wrath to be poured out on earth. These are the final judgments decreed by God on those refusing to repent and submit to His power and glory and offer of mercy. There is no vanity or self promotion among God’s servants. There is universal awe and respect for God’s Word, power and plans. Worship flows even as the bowls of judgment are about to be poured out. God is righteous, holy and blessed in all His works and all His dominion. Amen! Hallelujah!
Psalm 103:19-22 “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His Word, obeying the voice of His Word! Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ministers, who do His will! Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
Prayer: Father God, I am in awe of Your glorious throne and those who willingly attend to Your Word and plans. I am grateful for Your justice and for your mercy towards those who are humble and contrite. I bless You today for Your amazing works of mercy, creation, and justice on the earth and towards mankind. I will worship You now and forever in grateful obedience. May holy fear fill my heart and life!
Ecclesiastes 5: 7 “For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the One you must fear.”
Believe and receive!
Scripture reading for October 26th: John 9, Psalm 64, Proverbs 28
John 9: 30-38 “The man answered, “Why this is an amazing thing! You do not know where He comes from, yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out (of the synagogue). Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him He said, “Do you believe in the Son of man?” He answered, “And Who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him, and it is He Who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Him.”
John records this amazing miracle done by Jesus for a man who was born blind. The disciples had just asked why the man was born blind: Was it because of his sin or his parents? Jesus answered that neither case was true, but only that God’s works might be displayed in his life. He then anointed the man’s eyes with mud made from dust and saliva. He told the man to wash in the pool of Siloam and as he obeyed, sight was restored. All were in amazement and they questioned the man about who did this and how he did it. The Pharisees questioned him as well, finding out it was Jesus doing this, and on the Sabbath, they condemned the miracle. But faith had entered this blind man’s heart and eyes were opened physically and spiritually to receive sight and insight! Jesus revealed Himself to this man who was put out of the synagogue. He now worshiped Jesus as the Son of Man! The Pharisees became more blind than him!
Psalm 64: 7-9 “But God shoots His arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly. They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads. Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what He has done.”
Prayer: Father God, how amazing is the miracle of sight for a man born blind! Yet more amazing still is his seeing Jesus Christ as the Son of Man, Savior and Healer! Help me to share Your love for the blind and lost through the Holy Spirit and even creative miracles that open eyes of understanding to reveal Jesus Christ the Savior through preaching of the Gospel. May all fear and testify of God’s works!
Proverbs 28:6 “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.”
Holy Fear and Obedience!
Scripture reading for February 7th: Exodus 19-20, Psalm 33, Ephesians 5
Key Scriptures: Exodus 20:13-18 “Now when all the people saw the thunder and flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood afar off, and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin.” The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.”
After assembling and consecrating the people of Israel, Moses and Aaron prepared to meet with God. The mountain where they were meeting was filled with fire and smoke and shook with rumblings. But the people did not want God to speak to them directly, for they were afraid they would die. Moses assured them that God’s purpose was to instill in them the fear of God–a holy respect, that would keep them from the sin of disobedience and unbelief.
Faith Confession and Prayer: Lord, I thank You for speaking to me and instilling holy fear for Who You are and what You have done for me. Help me to fully obey You each day and live by faith in every Word You have spoken.
Psalm 33:8 “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in Awe of Him!”
Ephesians 5:20 “. . .giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Grace and holy fear
Scripture reading for May 10th: Acts 5, Psalm 94, Proverbs 1
Key Scriptures: Acts 5;1-5 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.”
Ananias and Sapphira were members of the church in Jerusalem. They sold a piece of property and then brought an offering to the apostles, telling them it was the full price of the land. God gave Peter a word of wisdom. It was only part of the price. As Peter faithfully spoke this word, Ananias fell down dead! This caused great fear to come upon all.
Faith Confession: Lord, I am humbled by this record of judgment upon the sins of Your people. Bring conviction and truth to me continually to hold me up. Cover my sins by Christ’s blood, my only plea.
Psalm 94:16-18 “Who rises up for Me against the wicked? Who stands up for Me against evildoers? If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought “My foot slips,” Your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.”
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Obedience and Holy Fear
Scripture reading for November 7th: Jeremiah 44-47, 1st Peter 1
Key Scriptures: 1st Peter 1:14-19 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written,”Your shall be holy for I am holy.” And if you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefather, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
Peter called the church to live righteous and holy lives, modeled after God and His Son Jesus Christ. He pointed out that God would judge each man impartially, according to his deeds. This should bring a holy fear and a trust in the redeeming blood of Christ as our only hope of standing before a holy God.
Jeremiah 44:10-11 “They have not humbled themselves even to this day, nor have they feared, nor walked in My law and My statutes that I set before you and before your fathers. Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will set My face against you for harm, to cut off all Judah.”
Prayer: Lord, I humbly accept the sacrifice of Christ’s body and blood as my only covering for my sin. I honor you with obedience and reverence. Amen.
Rejoicing in God’s Great Compassion!
Scripture reading for October 2nd: Jonah 3-4, Micah 1-2
Key Scriptures: Jonah 4:4-5, 10 “On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. . . . When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened.”
Jonah had vowed to preach whatever message God gave him for the wicked city of Nineveh. He began a walk across the huge city that would take three full days announcing God’s plan to judge them in just 40 days. This brought holy fear and faith to the whole wicked city and they repented! When God saw their faith and deeds of repentance, He had compassion on them! He would much rather save people than bring judgment. What an awesome God of compassion we serve!
God’s great compassion: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2nd Peter 3:9)
Thankful for the fear of the Lord!
Scripture reading for June 7th: Psalm 34-38
Key Scriptures: Psalm 34:11-14 “Come My children, listen to Me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good’ seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ear is attentive to their cry; . . .”
David got himself into a bit of a mess. To escape Saul’s threats, he went to the land of Abimelech, Israel’s enemy, and feigned madness in order to survive. Abimelech ended up sending him away. David wrote this psalm as an act of worship for God’s deliverance of his own life from his own folly. God’s mercy was truly there for those that feared Him and departed from evil.
Thankful for holy fear: (Jesus) “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear, Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tel you, fear Him.” (Luke 12:4-5)
Lying to God is dangerous!
Scripture reading for November 6th: Acts 5-7
Lying is a sin and one God’s ten commandments. (Exodus 20:16) God hates a lying tongue! (Proverbs 6:17-19) Lying breaks relationships, marriages, homes, and even churches! A lying tongue hates the one it hurts! (Proverbs 26:28) A false witness will not go unpunished and he who pours out lies will perish! (Proverbs 19:9) The devil is a liar and can speak only one language: “LIE!” (John 8:44)
The Book of Acts records the history of the early church from just before the day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul in Rome. Very early in the history of the new church, Luke writes to tell us the story of a couple who told a lie that cost them very dearly. This is the story of Ananias and Sapphira found in Acts 5:1-16.
The lie that this couple told was a lie of omission. They sold some of their property and made an offering to the Apostles for the use of the church. The price of the property was more than what they gave, but they told the Apostles that they gave all the money to the Lord when they had kept some back for themselves. Now it wasn’t wrong not to give it all. It was only wrong to lie about what they had given. Scripture doesn’t say why they did this. Whatever the reason, we only have the startling results!
“Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men, but to God.”” “When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what happened.” (Acts 5:3-5)
This should make each one of us think and evaluate our own hearts and giving. We need mercy more than ever! This is a New Testament story to warn God’s people that dealing with God is serious business! Amazingly, the church grew and many souls were added after this judgment! The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Truth!